Miles Whitaker stood justinside the doorway of his apartment, one hand braced against the frame, like he’d opened the door mid-thought and hadn’t quite caught up to why two strangers were standing there.
Andi noted his details. No phone in his hand. Keys on the entry table. Jacket half on, half off.
“Can I help you?” He glanced at his watch as if hurried. “I just came home to grab something, and I don’t have time for a sales pitch?—”
“We’re not here for a sales pitch.” Andi held up one hand, slowing the moment before it hardened. “I’m Andi, an old friend of Kate’s.”
Something in his expression shifted—surprise first, then alert and concern.
She introduced herself and Duke, watching Miles’s eyes flick briefly to Duke’s shoulders, then back to her face.
“We were supposed to meet for breakfast this morning,” Andi continued. “She didn’t show. That’s not like her. And when we went by her apartment?—”
Miles’s hand dropped from the doorframe. “Something happened.”
It wasn’t a question.
“She never stands people up.” His words came faster now. “If Kate didn’t show, there’s a reason. She even told me how excited she was to see you.”
The confirmation landed heavy in Andi’s chest. “When did you last talk to her?”
“Last night after dinner.” He ran a hand over his face. “She called me right before she did a showing. We said good night then because I had an early morning. You said you went by her apartment?”
“The door had been left open,” Andi said.
“That doesn’t sound like her.” He stepped back, opening the door wider. “Please, come in.”
They stepped inside.
Miles’s apartment was neat but lived-in. Maps lined one wall, brochures were stacked on a side table, and hiking boots waited by the door. A wide window framed a slice of Los Angeles, sunlight catching glass and concrete in the distance.
Duke stayed near the entry, as he always did.
“Miles.” Andi kept his focus on her. “Did Kate mention anything strange happening lately? Anyone bothering her?”
“Yes.” He didn’t hesitate this time. “The day before yesterday.”
Surprise washed through Andi. “What did she say?”
“She told me she felt stupid saying it out loud,” Miles continued. “But she thought someone had been watching her when she went into work.”
The words settled into the room like dust.
“Did she say who?” Andi asked. “Or when?”
“No. She said it had happened the day before also, and she’d convinced herself she was overtired.” His voice tightened. “I told her to trust her instincts. That I could drive her to work if she wanted.”
“And did you?” Duke asked.
Miles hesitated—just a fraction too long. “No. She said she didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.”
Andi nodded. “That sounds like Kate.”
Duke crossed his arms. “Where were you this morning?”
Miles didn’t bristle. He answered immediately—and that mattered. Andi noticed it even before she understood why.
“I was at the office by six a.m. I got promoted recently—more backend work now. There were three other people there. I can give you names.”
